Project execution
To achieve the objective of the project the execution of activities has been divided in phases. The first phase comprised the specification and design of the new service. Several new parts had to be designed:
- Modification of the existing Lock‟n‟Go bicycle clamp and lock
- A new safe deposit box for the bicycle key
- The interconnection of a modified Lock‟n‟Go, a safe deposit box, an electronic Mifare key tag detection, software for registration of bike rentals and communication with the central OV-fiets bike rental accounting records.

Different proof of concept models have been developed, tested and improved.

For the test sites 2 x 8 bicycle clamps have been produced. After a final factory acceptance test and the last modifications, the clamps have been assembled and fitted at the two test sites in Haarlem.

The test sites have been opened the 7th of July 2010. There has been a period of testing of 3 months. During the tests the sites, the bicycles and the user experience of the new service has been monitored:

• Number of bike rentals
• Number of unique customers
• Interruptions of the service
• Damage reports
• User friendliness
• Enquiry of customers
  

Results
The project has produced the following results:

• The interconnection of a modified Lock‟n‟Go, a safe deposit box, an electronic Mifare key tag detection, software for registration of bike rentals and communication with the central OV-fiets bike rental accounting record has been developed
• The resulting test sites have been tested and monitored during 3 months
• During the development, the production and the period of testing much knowledge has been gathered on the strong and weak parts of this new service

Positive and strong parts

•  The newly developed automated small and relatively inexpensive bike rental parking facility has been developed, produced and tested in practice.
• End-users are eager to use this new service
• There has been no significant damage due to vandalism
• The testing period validates the intended value of new service:

          o The service is suited for small sites up to approximate 10 bicycles
          o The solution needs little space to set up in public space
          o The investment of this solution is relative low compared to existing automated
             bike rental service stations
          o A profitable exploitation is possible as of a usage load of 235 bike rentals /
            place / year

• The solution has the potential to service a network of small sites of bike rental services in the city center

Parts to be improved

• The Mifare chip-UID of NS OV-chipcards must be added to the white listing of OV-fiets subscribers
• Mifare key tag detection of the safe deposit box has to be improved
• User friendliness of the service has to be improved
• The availability of the data link between the local service and the central processing server has to be improved
• Facilities to monitor, prevent and solve interruptions of the service have to be added

Conclusions and continuation of the new service
This project has realized most of the objected results: a new solution for an automated OV-fiets bike rental service for small sites has been developed. This solution is relatively inexpensive. The new service is suited to be set up in public space  in Dutch cities where conditions for bike parking are cramped.

The solution has two advantages over existing solutions: it uses less space and the costs are significant lower.

Due to these advantages there is a profitable market to employ the new service. The advantages are specifically profitable under the following conditions:

• For sites up to approximate 10 bicycles
• For sites that have little space to set up a rental facility, as is likely the case in most Dutch city centers
• For sites that have strict regulations on construction in public space
• According to the testing period of this project crowded sites are likely to be less susceptible to vandalism
• The solution has the potential to service a network of small sites of bike rental services in the city center

The participants of this project, Fietsklamp BV, Ecosol BV and NS OV-fiets BV will explore the start of a new site for this service. Local government will be addressed to participate. For a profitable continuation of the service, the above noted improvements have to be carried through.